BabyCorps offers significant benefits to both mothers and their babies.

Whether a mother plans to have their baby in center care or in family child care, BabyCorps “Teams” provide enhanced support. BabyCorps raises the ratio of provider to child at six weeks of age and beyond to 1:1 replacing the current 4:1 ratio and with relationships that will span the entire “Awakening” years of a child’s life.

With this new support in place, new mothers have several options that include: return to work, attend training opportunities or attend college.

Mothers Planning To return To Work or Attend Training The first pilot will seek to recruit and support three new mothers who want/need to return to work. For that pilot, six older adults volunteering to be trained and committed to relationships with the infants will join the guide, Jim Coffey, and Dr. Herendeen to comprise the first “Nurturing Team.” Lifespan will assist us in recruiting the six older adults needed to volunteer to be part of the first team. (Recruitment in Fall 2024)

Mothers Wishing To Further Their Education For those interested in furthering their education, a BabyCorps Certificate has been developed that includes an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts with an advisement sequence in Early Childhood. Embedded in the Certificate is the nationally accredited CDA (Child Development Associate), and 2,500 hours of supervised training in a licensed childcare center or in licensed home care. Mothers will “train” as part of a cohort of three new mothers and their babies. This training will include connecting each mother with her own child to further enhance their unique relationship. In addition, mothers are eligible for Federal Work/Study funds so they may be paid while in training for the entire three years of the project.

BabyCorps is currently seeking a center or family care home to house the pilot for mothers who are seeking to either further their education at the college level or return to work.  We anticipate that the first academic group will launch in the spring, 2025 semester and mothers will attend Monroe Community College. Since teams are staffed by volunteers and are not paid, the hosting center will receive a financial benefit of upwards of $50,000 for three babies. (Monroe County’s financial support for needy mothers is nearly $16,000 per child annually.) In addition, the ratio of childcare provider to baby improves from the current 1:4 ratio to a 1:1 ratio and in relationships that endure throughout the child’s awakening years.

Criteria for participation for those mothers interested in furthering their education:

• First time mothers who are at least 18 years old

• Babies are born during November or December 2024 for the spring 2025semester pilot.

• Mothers are qualified for full public assistance

• Willing to work with other mothers and volunteers serving as child care workers

• Clearance to work in regulated child care programs

• Health Clearance

• No record of child abuse

• No criminal record of consequence